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The short answer
Part XV of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 (FCCPA) gives Nigerian consumers rights including plain-language information (s.114), full price disclosure at the point of payment (s.115), cancellation of advance bookings (s.120), returning goods in good condition within a reasonable time (s.122), freedom from unfair terms (ss.128–129) and goods fit for purpose (s.131). The FCCPC enforces them and says complaints take one to 45 days to resolve.
Last updated: October 2026
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 is Nigeria's general consumer law. It applies across sectors, alongside sector regulators such as the CBN, NCC and NERC. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) lists the consumer rights in Part XV of the Act on its website. This page sets them out by section number so you can cite the right one in a complaint.
- Law
- Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, Part XV
- Sections covered
- 114 to 132 (as listed by the FCCPC)
- Enforcer
- Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)
- Redress time quoted by FCCPC
- 1 to 45 days, with some exceptions
- Complaint portal
- complaints.fccpc.gov.ng, or the FCCPC Consumer Complaint App
- Head office contact
- contact@fccpc.gov.ng; 0805 600 2020, 0805 600 3030
The rights, section by section
Section numbers and right names follow the FCCPC's rights page; the descriptions are our summaries of what the FCCPC says each section requires.
| Section | Right | What a business must do |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | Information in plain and understandable language | Describe products and services in a way consumers can understand |
| 115 | Full disclosure of price | Disclose material facts including price; the displayed price must match the price at payment |
| 116 | Product labelling and trade descriptions | Show relevant and material information on labels, consistent with accepted norms |
| 117 | Disclosure of used or reconditioned goods | Tell you clearly when goods are second-hand or reconditioned |
| 118 | Sales record | Give a written, itemised record of the transaction on request, including taxes, unless impracticable |
| 119 | Right to select suppliers | Respect your choice between products from different manufacturers |
| 120 | Cancel advance bookings or orders | Allow reasonable cancellation with a full refund, subject to reasonable cancellation charges; tell you in writing if a price or promotion restricts refunds |
| 121 | Choose or examine goods | Let you select or reject items from open stock before you pay |
| 122 | Return goods | Accept returns, with limited exceptions, if goods are in good condition and returned within a reasonable time |
| 123 | General standards for marketing | Give only accurate information; no misleading, deceptive or fraudulent claims |
| 124 | Fair dealing | No coercion, undue influence or unfair marketing practices |
| 128 | Notice of certain terms and conditions | Draw terms that limit liability or impose indemnities to your attention before you agree |
| 129 | Prohibited terms | Terms that waive liability for defective performance, fraud, negligence or misrepresentation are void |
| 130 | Quality and timely delivery of services | Deliver on time; tell you promptly when delay is unavoidable |
| 131 | Safe, good-quality goods | Supply goods reasonably suitable for their usual purpose |
| 132 | Implied warranty of quality | Goods carry an implied warranty of quality |
Your responsibilities, according to the FCCPC
The same page lists eight consumer responsibilities. They are guidance rather than legal duties, but following them makes a complaint stronger.
- Be aware: gather the facts about a product before you buy.
- Beware: check quality and safety before purchase.
- Think independently about what you need.
- Speak out to manufacturers and government about your needs.
- Be an ethical consumer and avoid dishonest practices.
- Complain fairly and truthfully to the business and the regulator.
- Share your experience with other consumers.
- Respect the environment and avoid waste.
Using the rights in a complaint
Name the section. A complaint that says "under section 115 of the FCCPA, the price charged at the till must equal the displayed price" is harder to dismiss than a general objection. Attach the receipt, which section 118 entitles you to ask for, and photos of the shelf price or advert.
| Common problem | Section to cite | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Charged more at checkout than the shelf price | 115 | Receipt; photo of shelf label |
| Sold a refurbished phone as new | 117, 123 | Advert or listing; receipt; repair report |
| Shop refuses any refund on a cancelled order | 120 | Order confirmation; any written refund restriction |
| Faulty item, shop refuses return | 122, 131, 132 | Receipt; photos; dates you reported the fault |
| "No refund, no liability" sign used to refuse a valid claim | 128, 129 | Photo of the notice; correspondence |
| Service delivered late without notice | 130 | Agreement showing the promised date; messages |
Complain to the business first, in writing. If it does not resolve the matter, file with the FCCPC through its portal or app; our guide to FCCPC complaints, offices and timelines explains each step. For lending apps, the FCCPC has its own rules; see loan app harassment: your rights.
Where the FCCPA overlaps with sector regulators
Banks, telecoms and electricity companies also answer to their own regulators. A Mondaq analysis of power-sector consumer protection (part of a series BusinessDay also ran on 12 February 2026) notes that section 105 of the FCCPA gives the FCCPC concurrent jurisdiction with sector regulators and that the FCCPA prevails where they conflict. In practice, most people use the sector route first (for example, the CBN for a bank dispute) and the FCCPC for unfair treatment, misleading adverts and general goods and services. Our regulator contacts directory maps each problem to the right body.
Worked example
Example only. Tunde pays ₦85,000 for a blender advertised as new. It arrives with scratches and a used filter. He writes to the seller citing sections 117 (undisclosed used goods), 122 (return) and 131 (fit for purpose), attaches the listing and photos, and asks for a refund within seven days. When the seller does not reply, he files on complaints.fccpc.gov.ng and keeps the tracking code sent to his email.
How we compiled this
Sections and right names come from the FCCPC's "Rights & Responsibilities" page, accessed October 2026, which summarises Part XV of the FCCPA 2018. Timelines and channels come from the FCCPC's complaint handling and contact pages, accessed the same month. The concurrent jurisdiction point is from Mondaq's power-sector consumer protection article, also published by BusinessDay on 12 February 2026. Where the FCCPC page appears to contain typing errors, we have said so rather than correcting silently.
Questions people ask
What is the FCCPA 2018?
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 is Nigeria's main consumer protection law. Part XV sets out consumer rights and the FCCPC enforces it.
Can a Nigerian shop refuse to refund me?
Section 122 gives a right to return goods, with limited exceptions, if they are in good condition and returned within a reasonable time. A 'no refund' sign does not override the Act where it tries to waive liability (s.129).
Must the price at the till match the shelf price?
Yes. The FCCPC says section 115 requires displayed prices to be the same as the price at the point of payment.
How long does an FCCPC complaint take?
The FCCPC says redress takes between one and 45 days, with some exceptions, and that complete documents shorten it.
Sources
- FCCPC: Rights and responsibilities · accessed Oct 2026
- FCCPC: Complaint handling procedure · accessed Oct 2026
- FCCPC: Contact and zonal offices · accessed Oct 2026
- FCCPC complaints portal · accessed Oct 2026
- Mondaq: Power sector reform series 2, electricity consumers' protection framework · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.